Watery white diarrhea, closing eyes, "sleepy" - please help!

[HarperGirl]

Our 1 year old Golden Comet, who has been a super healthy and happy daily layer, has taken a turn. It started with "shelless" eggs about a week ago, so we added more oyster shell to her organic laying feed. She has stopped laying and has had a white watery diarrhea for the last 24-36 hours (see photos). Only drinking water - no interest in food. She is just sitting by the water and appears sleepy and keeps closing her eyes. She is our favorite hen so this is heartbreaking. Have called several vets in the area and can't get any answers. I have consulted The Chicken Handbook by Gail Damerow, and can't pinpoint what's wrong. Have seen other posts with similar condition (white watery diarrhea and sleepiness) but some posts dropped off. PLEASE HELP! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are relatively new hen parents. Thank you!!

 

[azygous]

Not enough information to pinpoint what's going on, but with the history of shell-less eggs and her current behavior and runny poop, it points to a reproductive issue, perhaps a stuck egg and/or reproductive infection.

Two things you can do. One is immediately give her a calcium tablet like this.

It's a form of calcium that is most quickly absorbed unlike calcium carbonate (oyster shell). It will help stimulate contractions to expel any broken egg material. This is a temporary calcium boost during a reproductive crisis, only meant for the short term.

The other thing is to immediately start her on an oral antibiotic. Look around to see if you have any on hand. This can begin to combat bacteria that may be colonizing collapsed egg in the oviduct.

 

[HarperGirl]

Thank you so much for your help. I just was outside holding her and trying to get mash (hardboiled agg, water and pellet mash into her via syringe. She took several syringes full but then in came back up again (heavy drool). I'm so afraid she may be dying. I contacted our local Agway to get an oral antibiotic but they can't sell over the counter. Would a vitamin store or an animal supply store have the calcium you recommend? I don't know what else to do an am heartbroken. She did feel warm in my lap and I wonder if she's running a fever.

 

[azygous]

You must not be in the US or you'd recognize the Walmart brand. If you aren't able to buy an antibiotic, you need to ask a vet to sell you one. it's the only thing I can think of to save your hen if she is dying.

Find a concentrated calcium supplement for people. Get one that's at least 500mg-700mg. One tablet in case she's eggbound.

Amoxicillin 250mg once a day for ten days is the dosage for poultry. Call around to vets and find one that will sell you some.

 

[HarperGirl]

Our dear Comet passed away this afternoon. We were able to get her to an aviary vet. The vet thinks she had egg yolk peritonitis which is not uncommon in Golden Comets who are prolific layers. Heartbreaking.

 

[HarperGirl]

We don't shop at Walmart so didn't recognize the brand, but it wouldn't have helped at this late stage unfortunately. Thanks again for this information.

 

[Mamabird2021]

I listened to your advice and did the recommendation for my bird and today she is much better. I don't believe it was eggbound because she is now having more of a regular poop. I will eventually feel more comfortable with chicken ailments the longer I own them now if I could only stop the pecking from some dominant birds that would be helpful.